Lexical Summary mishmereth: Guard, charge, duty, watch, obligation, service Original Word: מִשְׁמֶרֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinance, safeguard, ward, watchFem. Of mishmar; watch, i.e. The act (custody), or (concr.) The sentry, the post; obj. Preservation, or (concr.) Safe; fig. Observance, i.e. (abstr.) Duty or (obj.) A usage or party -- charge, keep, or to be kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. see HEBREW mishmar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of mishmar Definition a guard, watch, charge, function NASB Translation allegiance (1), charge (27), duties (15), duty (2), guard post (2), guard* (1), guards (2), keep (1), keep* (1), kept (5), obligation (4), obligations (4), offices (1), posts (1), safe (1), service (2), service divisions (1), watch (4), worship (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִשְׁמֶ֫רֶתּ78 noun feminine guard, watch, also charge, function; — ׳מ absolute 2 Samuel 20:3 +, construct 2 Kings 11:5 +; absolute מִשְׁמָ֑רֶת Exodus 16:34; suffix מִשְׁמַרְתִּי Genesis 26:5 +, etc.; plural מִשְׁמָרוֺת 1 Chronicles 9:23 +; construct מִשְׁמְרוֺת Nehemiah 7:3; suffix רוֺתָם-2Chronicles 7:6 +, תֵיהֶם-2Chronicles 31:17; — 1 guard, watch: ׳בֵּית מ 2 Samuel 20:3 = house of detention, confinement; אַתָּה עִמָּדִי ׳מ 1 Samuel 22:23 i.e. protected, secure; with שָׁמַר keep the watch 2 Kings 11:5,6,7; 1 Chronicles 12:30 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:29); = post of watch (figurative) Isaiah 21:3 ("" מִצְפֶה), Habakkuk 2:1 ("" מָצוֺר); plural = guards Nehemiah 7:3; 1 Chronicles 9:23. 2 keeping, preserving, ׳וְהָיָה לָכֶם לְמ Exodus 12:6 i.e. ye shall keep it; ׳הִנִּיחוּ לָכֶם לְמ Exodus 16:23; compare Exodus 16:32; Exodus 16:33; Exodus 16:34; Numbers 19:9 (all P). 3 charge, injunction of ׳י, with שָׁמַר, in General Deuteronomy 11:1 ( + חֻקוֺת, מִשְׁמָּטִים, מִצְוֺת), compare Genesis 26:5; 1 Kings 2:3, and (׳מִצְוַת י ׳מ) Joshua 22:3 (all RD), Malachi 3:14; of specific injunctions Leviticus 18:30; Numbers 9:19,23. 4. a. ceremonial office or function (AV RV usually charge) of priest or Levite (P [especially Numbers], Ezekiel 40; Ezekiel 44; Ezekiel 48; Chronicles, Zechariah), mostly with שָׁמַר: מִשְׁכַּן הָלֵדוּת ׳מ Numbers 1:53, ׳מִשְׁכַּן י ׳מ Numbers 31:30,47, הַמִּקְדָּשׁ ׳מ Ezekiel 44:15; Numbers 3:38, אֹהֶל מוֺעֵד ׳מ Numbers 18:4 compare Numbers 18:3, 1 Chronicles 23:32, הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳מ Numbers 3:28,32; Numbers 18:5; 1 Chronicles 23:32, קָדָשַׁי ׳מ (of Israel in General) Ezekiel 44:8, הַמִּזְבֵּחַ ׳מ Numbers 18:5; Ezekiel 40:46, תְּרוּמֹתָ֑י Numbers 18:8, הַבַּיִת ׳מ Ezekiel 40:45; Ezekiel 44:14, הַטָּהֳרָה ׳מ Nehemiah 12:45; with Genitive (suffix) ׳מ ׳שׁ = perform the service imposed by, due to, Leviticus 8:35; Leviticus 22:9; Ezekiel 44:8,16; Ezekiel 48:11; Zechariah 3:7, אֱםהֵיהֶם ׳מ Nehemiah 12:45 (of Judah in General); הָעֵדָה ׳מ Numbers 3:7 a, ׳בְּנֵי יִשׂ ׳מ Numbers 3:8,38, בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֺן ׳מ Numbers 3:25; compare Numbers 3:7a.,Numbers 3:31,36; Numbers 4:27,28,31,32; Numbers 18:3; 1 Chronicles 23:32; also, in secular sense, בֵּית שָׁאוּל ׳מ 1 Chronicles 12:30; מַשָּׂאָם ׳מ Numbers 4:31, מַשָּׂאָם ׳כְּלֵי מ Numbers 4:32 (Numbers 4:27 read with ᵐ5 Di Gr Gray, etc. בְּשֵׁמוֺת for ׳במ, and perhaps מִשְׁמֶרֶת after אֵת, compare Numbers 4:32); ׳עֲלֵיהֶם מ 1 Chronicles 9:27 i.e. the duty rested upon them; — 1 Chronicles 25:8; 1 Chronicles 26:12 see I. עֻמָה c, d (p. 769 above); עֹמְדִים ׳עַלמֿ2Chronicles 7:6 were standing according to (or in) their offices, ׳הֱעֶמִיד עַל מ appoint to their offices2Chronicles 8:14; 35:2. b. pl. of Levitical divisions for service Nehemiah 12:9. II. שׁמר (√ of following; compare Late Hebrew שְׁמָרִים = Biblical Hebrew, also verb denominative; ᵑ7 שִׁמְרָא; meaning of √ and relation (if any) o I. ׳שׁ obscure; compare possibly Arabic Topical Lexicon Definition and ScopeThe Hebrew noun מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret, Strong 4931) denotes a trust that has been placed under someone’s care. It can describe a sacred charge, a personal or corporate duty, an assigned watch, or the custody of persons or objects. Although the contexts vary, the underlying idea is always that of stewardship under divine authority. Overview of Occurrences Approximately seventy-eight times the word is found across the Old Testament. Nearly half appear in the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, where priestly service and ritual observance dominate. The Chronicler employs the term in describing orderly temple ministries, and Ezekiel uses it to portray both the failure and restoration of priestly responsibility. Narrative passages (for example in Jeremiah) expand the sense to include physical custody or confinement. Divine Charge within the Covenant From the outset mishmeret links obedience to covenant blessing. Genesis 26:5 records that Abraham “kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws,” highlighting the concept of whole-life fidelity. Later, when the wilderness generation paused beneath the cloud, “the Israelites would keep the LORD’s charge and would not set out” (Numbers 9:19). Leviticus 8:35 solemnly warns Aaron and his sons to “keep the LORD’s charge so that you will not die,” thus binding priestly longevity to careful observance. Covenant life is therefore safeguarded by accepting God-given responsibilities as sacred trusts. Priestly and Levitical Oversight Mishmeret becomes a technical term for tabernacle and temple service: • Numbers 3:7-8 describes the Levites who “shall perform the duties” of the tabernacle. These occurrences underscore that worship is not casual but regulated stewardship, guarding both doctrine and practice. Custody of Sacred Objects The same term covers the guarding of holy furnishings and treasuries: • Numbers 1:53 commands the Levites to “camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there will be no wrath on the congregation.” Protecting what belongs to God is itself a form of worship. Guarding Life and Liberty Mishmeret can also refer to a guardroom or holding place: • Jeremiah 37:21 records that King Zedekiah “put him in the courtyard of the guard,” a location literally called a mishmeret. In these passages the word bears a more secular sense, yet even here stewardship and accountability remain central. Military and Civic Watches While mishmar (Strong 4929) is the usual word for time-bound watches, mishmeret occasionally overlaps by describing organized guarding forces (for example 2 Chronicles 23:19). The semantic proximity reminds readers that whether a priest in the sanctuary or a sentinel on the wall, each stands under orders. Prophetic Usage Ezekiel, writing during exile, exposes Israel’s failure to maintain the holy charge yet promises renewal: • Ezekiel 44:14: unfaithful Levites are demoted but still “appointed to keep charge of the temple—every kind of work that is to be done in it.” Thus mishmeret becomes a lens through which both judgment and hope are viewed. Spiritual Application for the Church Although the term is Hebrew and cultic, its principle is timeless. Paul writes, “Guard what has been entrusted to you” (1 Timothy 6:20), echoing the Old Testament call to faithful custody. Pastors, elders, parents, and every believer are stewards of revealed truth, spiritual gifts, and gospel witness. Mishmeret therefore invites modern servants to vigilance, purity, and perseverance. Christ as the Fulfillment of the Holy Charge Jesus embodies perfect stewardship. He testifies, “I have kept them in Your name” (John 17:12), mirroring the Old Testament vocabulary of keeping charge. As Great High Priest He fulfills every mishmeret, and through His indwelling Spirit enables the church to do likewise (Hebrews 3:6). Key References Genesis 26:5; Exodus 12:17; Leviticus 8:35; Numbers 1:53; Numbers 3:7-8; Numbers 9:19-23; Numbers 18:5; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Chronicles 9:23; 1 Chronicles 23:32; 2 Chronicles 23:6; Nehemiah 12:45; Jeremiah 37:21; Ezekiel 40:45-46; Ezekiel 44:14. Theological Insights • Mishmeret stresses that divine privilege is inseparable from divine responsibility. Forms and Transliterations בְּמִשְׁמְרֹתָֽם׃ בְּמִשְׁמְרוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם בְּמִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֖ם בְּמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת במשמרותיהם במשמרותם במשמרת במשמרתם׃ וּמִ֨שְׁמַרְתָּ֔ם וּמִשְׁמֶ֕רֶת וּמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת וּמִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת וּמִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת וּמִשְׁמַרְתָּ֗ם ומשמרת ומשמרתם לְמִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת לְמִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת לְמִשְׁמֶ֛רֶת לְמִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת לְמִשְׁמָֽרֶת׃ לְמִשְׁמָרֽוֹת׃ למשמרות׃ למשמרת למשמרת׃ מִ֠שְׁמְרוֹתָם מִ֨שְׁמַרְתִּ֔י מִֽשְׁמַרְתְּךָ֔ מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ מִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֑ם מִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֣ם מִשְׁמֶ֔רֶת מִשְׁמֶ֕רֶת מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת מִשְׁמֶ֗רֶת מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙ מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת ׀ מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת מִשְׁמֶרֶת֮ מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֑י מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֗י מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֛י מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י מִשְׁמַרְתִּֽי׃ מִשְׁמַרְתּ֔וֹ מִשְׁמַרְתּ֗וֹ מִשְׁמָר֖וֹת מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת משמרות משמרותם משמרת משמרתו משמרתי משמרתי׃ משמרתך bə·miš·me·reṯ bə·miš·mə·rō·ṯām bə·miš·mə·rō·w·ṯām bə·miš·mə·rō·w·ṯê·hem bemishMeret bemishmeroTam bemishmeroteiHem bəmišmereṯ bəmišmərōṯām bəmišmərōwṯām bəmišmərōwṯêhem lə·miš·mā·reṯ lə·miš·mā·rō·wṯ lə·miš·me·reṯ lemishMaret lemishmaRot lemishMeret ləmišmāreṯ ləmišmārōwṯ ləmišmereṯ miš·mā·rō·wṯ miš·mar·tə·ḵā miš·mar·tî miš·mar·tōw miš·me·reṯ miš·mə·rō·w·ṯām miš·mə·rō·wṯ mishmaRot mishmarteCha mishmarTi mishmarTo mishMeret mishmerOt mishmeroTam Mishmerotom mišmārōwṯ mišmartəḵā mišmartî mišmartōw mišmereṯ mišmərōwṯ mišmərōwṯām ū·miš·mar·tām ū·miš·me·reṯ umishmarTam umishMeret ūmišmartām ūmišmereṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 26:5 HEB: בְּקֹלִ֑י וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י מִצְוֹתַ֖י חֻקּוֹתַ֥י NAS: Me and kept My charge, My commandments, KJV: and kept my charge, my commandments, INT: my voice and kept my charge my commandments my statutes Exodus 12:6 Exodus 16:23 Exodus 16:32 Exodus 16:33 Exodus 16:34 Leviticus 8:35 Leviticus 18:30 Leviticus 22:9 Numbers 1:53 Numbers 3:7 Numbers 3:7 Numbers 3:8 Numbers 3:25 Numbers 3:28 Numbers 3:31 Numbers 3:32 Numbers 3:36 Numbers 3:38 Numbers 3:38 Numbers 4:27 Numbers 4:28 Numbers 4:31 Numbers 4:32 Numbers 8:26 78 Occurrences |
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be tawny, dark, in colour, Lane1425a).